The leaders of the three main parties at Westminster have clashed over reform of the banking system, in their final televised debate before the general election.

Nick Clegg said a 10% levy is needed on bank profits now because under the tax system, banks can offset tax against losses so some banks are paying no tax at all.

Gordon Brown said the government would recover the money pumped into the banking system by selling publicly-owned bank shares when their value recovered.

David Cameron insisted the best way to get the economy moving was to take action now to force the banks to start lending money to small businesses.